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(No Model.)

I. P. ATKINSON.

FOLDING TABLE.

No. 266,669. Patented Oct. 31, 1882.

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FRANCIS F. ATKINSON, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HENRY W.

GWINNER, OF SAME PLACE.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 266,669, dated October 31, 1882. Application filed May 9, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS F. ATKINSON, of the city, county, and State of New York, haveinven ted certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which improvements the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tables of the class in which the legs and top are connected in such manner as to be folded closely together whenever desired for the purpose of economizing space in storage or transportation; and the objects of the invention are to simplify and perfect the means for adjusting, folding, and securing the table in position, as hereinaiter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal central section through a table embodying my invention, as adjusted in position for use; Figs. 2 and 3, similar sections, as partially and entirely folded, respectively; and Fig. 4, a bottom plan, folded.

The table-top A is supported by an outer and an inner pair of legs, B and C, each of which pairs is connected by an upper and a lower cross-bar, b b and c 0, respectively. The outer pair of legs, B, is hinged to the table-top A, adjacent to one of the ends thereof, by staples a, which embrace its upper crossbar, I), with sufficient freedom to admit of the vibration of the same within them, the cross bar I) being preferably shouldered or turned down at its bearings in the staples a to prevent end motion therein. The legs C of the inner pair are free at each end, and are connected at or near their centers to the legs Bof the outer pair by pivots D, which, except in the case where two drawers are used, may be extended so as to form a continuous cross-bar. A pair of spring-clasps, E, each of which is a plate of suitable elastic metal of segmental form, are secured each at one of its ends to the under side of the table-top A, adjacent to the end opposite'th at to which thelegs B are hinged, said spring-clasps serving to receive and retain the upper cross-bar, c, of the legs C when the table is set up for use, and by their elasticity admitting of the ready withdrawal of the cross-bar for the foldingof the table. Recesses or countersinks c are formed in the cross-bar c in position to be engaged by the spring-clasps E, which prevents end motion of the cross-bar and correspondingly enhances the firmness of the connection of the legs C with the table, and the strain upon the springclasps is sustained by two stout metal support ers or backing-pieces, 0, each secured to the top A on the outer side of one of the springclasps. Vhen folded, as in Figs. 8 and 4, the

legs are held in such adjusted relation by a spring-catch, F, secured to the top A and engaging a pin,f, on one of the legs C, with the capacity of ready withdrawal therefrom when the table is to be set up.

For the purpose of providing convenient stowage room in the table, I attach thereto one or more drawers, Gr, each fitting and moving freely in grooves formed in transverse cleats g, placed between and in such relation to the staples a and spring-catches E as to admit of the unobstructed insertion and withdrawal of the drawers when the table is in position for use, and to insure the retention of the drawers within the cleats by the legs C when the table is folded.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The combination ofa table-top, a pair of legs hinged or pivoted at one end thereto, a second pair of legs pivoted at or near their centers to the first pair, a pair of spring-clasps, a pair of metal supporters backing said clasps, and a recessed or countersunk cross-bar connecting the upper ends of the second pair of legs, the spring-clasps being adapted to enter the recesses or countersinks of said bar and prevent end movement of the same, substantially as set forth.

FRANCIS F. ATKINSON.

Witnesses:

E. B. Wrsnoon, H. E. VERNON. 

